4. Vocabulary Development

Match each adjective on the left with a noun on the right. Use each word once only. Write your answers in the boxes.

Remember to choose the best, most natural partnerships.

Set 1

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2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

1. faultless a. cruelty

2. fearless b. driver

3. harmless c. food

4. hopeless d. fun

5. priceless e. night

6. reckless f. painting

7. restless g. performance

8. senseless h. rubbish

9. tasteless i. situation

10. worthless j. warrior

Set 2

Now do the same with these words.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

1. cheerful a. advice

2. delightful b. answer

3. frightful c. character

4. harmful d. illness

5. hopeful e. mess

6. painful f. news

7. restful g. night

8. spiteful h. remarks

9. truthful i. side-effects

10. useful j. weather

5. Vocabulary Exercises

A. Fill in the gaps with one of the words given in the box. ***

complaints expensive black licence centre companies drivers price examination destination

By Taxi

Travelling around London by taxi is (1) __________. There are numerous taxi (2) ___________ operating throughout London. The majority are licensed and fair, however, do be careful as there are always one or two ‘taxi’ companies which have no (3) ___________ and no insurance.

Black cabs are known throughout the world and are often seen as the most knowledgeable and honest of all taxi (4) ____________. In order to obtain a licence for a black taxi the driver must pass an (5) ____________as ‘The Knowledge’. It is a test on all streets throughout central London. Important points to know about (6) __________ cabs:

• they are available 365 days and nights of the year, although there is an additional surcharge on Sunday, Bank Holidays and late at night, which can double the (7) ___________ of the journey.

• they only have to take you within a radius of six miles from the (8) ___________ of London, although you may be able to negotiate a longer journey, especially to an airport.

• in theory, they cannot refuse to take you to your (9) ____________ if it is within the six-mile radius of the centre, if you are sensible, and the yellow light is on indicating availability.

• each taxi has a licence plate inside and outside the taxi so if you have any (10) ___________ you know who to complain about.

B. Find the words in the text which mean the following and write them in the blankes..

1. A car with a driver that you pay to take you somewhere.

______________________

2. The place that someone or something is going to.

______________________

3. The thing that is measured in minutes, hours, days, years, etc. using clocks.

______________________

4. Someone’s or something’s name put on an official list.

______________________

5. A public road in a city or town that has houses, shops, etc. on one or both

sides.

______________________

6. The amount of money you have to pay for something.

______________________

C. Fill in the blanks with one suitable word from above. Make changes if necessary.

Advantages of black taxis to ordinary (a) ____________ companies

• the driver is more likely to know how to get to your exact (b) _________, without assistance, by the quickest or shortest route.

• the prices are fixed by the distance and or the time of the journey and the meter is clearly visible at all (c) ___________ .

• each taxi is (d) ___________and licensed.

• taxis can be stopped in the (t) ___________ when the yellow light on the top of cab is on.

• you do not have to ask for a (f) ___________ when you get in, the meter shows your change as your journey progresses.

D. Write the opposites to the following words. Then use these words to fill in the gaps.

1. white – ___________________________________________

2. down – ___________________________________________

3. sitting – ___________________________________________

4. unusual – ___________________________________________

5. after – ___________________________________________

6. less – ___________________________________________

7. illegally – ___________________________________________

Disadvantages of black taxis compared to ordinary taxi companies

• (1) ___________ taxis are usually more expensive – they can be (2)________

to twice the price for long distances, for example to airport.

• if there is congestion a black taxi may be (3) ________ with the meter

continuing to run whereas a (4) __________ taxi will have quoted you a fixed fee for the journey in advance (always ensure you have arranged this (5) _________ getting into the taxi).

• ordinary taxis can be much (6) ___________ readily available for long distances.

• ordinary taxis cannot be stopped in the street – (7) ___________.